Chapter 16: Flag (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Flag (2)
*
“…Whoa, holy crap.”
At my murmur, Kang Han-sol, who was walking ahead of me, came to a sudden halt.
“…Huh? What is it?”
“Nothing… I just saw something weird.”
“…?”
He tilted his head with a look that said he was the one who’d seen something bizarre, then turned back around.
I quickly covered my mouth. I was so shocked that the words had slipped out before I could stop them. I really need to be more careful.
.
.
.
“…”
The place we arrived at was a deserted area behind the school. I stopped a few paces behind Kang Han-sol.
Chirp, chirp—
There wasn’t a soul in sight. The only thing to be heard was the faint sound of birds. I glanced around before speaking first.
“So, what did you want to say to me?”
…Actually, I already knew. But I had to ask, if only for the sake of appearances.
“…Ahem.”
Kang Han-sol cleared his throat. After a slight pause and a brief, heavy silence, he finally spoke.
“…I’ve decided to start dating Sujin.”
Those were the words he spat out.
“…Whoa.”
Holy crap. I was shocked all over again just hearing it. Even hearing it a second time, it was absurd. My jaw dropped. Before I had read his thoughts, this was a development I hadn’t expected at all.
…I mean, I definitely did counsel Kim Sujin to go after him. But I didn’t think it would actually work. This guy, Kang Han-sol—he fell for it with terrifying ease. I think I’m starting to understand why Ji Nuri rejected him twice.
“How did that happen?”
“…Well, it just kind of happened.”
Kang Han-sol avoided my gaze as he spoke.
“Hmm.”
— “I didn’t know I was so weak against someone being that forward.”
…I see. It seems Kim Sujin approached him even more decisively than I expected. Did she manage to burrow into the gaps of Kang Han-sol’s heart while it was still wounded from the rejection? Kim Sujin is scarier than I thought.
“Actually, I was going to keep it a secret… but I felt it was right to let you know. Sujin said you gave her some counseling, too?”
“I did… give her some counseling, but…”
I still couldn't believe it actually worked. Even thinking about it now, I was dumbfounded.
“…Anyway, keep it a secret for now,” I cautioned him. It wasn’t for my sake, but rather for his.
“…Yeah, I was planning to.”
“Is that all you had to say?”
“Oh, right.”
Kang Han-sol pulled something out of his bag. It was that thing you attach to an electric guitar… what do you call it? That thing. Ah, right. An effects pedal.
“She left this in the club room. She’ll need it for practice.” Kang Han-sol continued, rubbing the back of his neck. “Tell Nuri she can come back to the Band Club whenever she changes her mind. Given the situation… it’s a bit awkward for me to go myself… So, I’m asking you.”
I looked down at the effects pedal he handed me.
“…”
I wasn’t sure about this. Passing the message along was one thing, but honestly, this whole situation was just ridiculous. Normally, I would have told him to deliver it himself.
“…Sigh.”
But since Ji Nuri was involved, I figured it would just be stressful for her to have to meet him again. That was what weighed on my mind more.
“Buy me something at the school snack shop later,” I said, taking the pedal.
“Sure.”
“…Oh. And don’t come near the Counseling Club for a while.”
He probably wouldn’t have time anyway since he’s dating now, but it would be a pain if we ran into each other. Kang Han-sol nodded without saying much.
“Thanks for everything,” he said as he left first.
…Now that he’s dating, he seems to have mellowed out a bit. Is it really that great?
“…”
I watched him disappear for a moment, then started walking the other way. Time to finally go home.
“I finally found you…!”
…Now what?
As soon as Kang Han-sol vanished, a third voice rang out. I narrowed my eyes.
“? What the—”
I stared in confusion as I spotted Ji Nuri running toward me. Why was she here? Didn’t she go home earlier? She ran right up to me and scanned me from head to toe.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
“…About what?”
“I mean, I heard Kang Han-sol took you somewhere. …Did anything happen?”
— “The other kids definitely said they saw you two leaving together.”
Wait, did she come looking for me because she was worried?
“He didn’t say anything weird to you, did he?”
“He didn’t.” I shook my head. No need to bring up the other stuff. “He just said he wanted to thank me for the counseling the other day.”
Oh, right. I immediately handed her the effects pedal I was holding.
“He asked me to give you this while he was at it.”
“…Ah.” Ji Nuri’s expression softened instantly. “What, I got scared for nothing…”
She looked relieved, realizing it really wasn't a big deal. Seeing that, I felt a bit mischievous.
“Oh… Are you worried about me right now?”
At my teasing remark—
“Yeah.”
Came a firm, immediate reply.
— “I’d feel bad if you got caught up in something because of me.”
Plus the thought that followed.
“…”
…That really came out of nowhere. I was actually a bit surprised.
“But just in case, let’s walk together,” she said, giving my back a light poke with her fist.
“…”
She has a laid-back personality. She’s a beauty who could rival a celebrity. She dresses well, and she’s a girl who even likes anime?
“…You’re the problem.” I shook my head and started walking.
“Huh? What…?”
Even the way she blinked her large eyes slowly, as if she had no idea what I meant, was dangerous. She flirts as naturally as she breathes. A total fox. A real fox.
*
A few days have passed since that minor incident. In truth, even when things like that happen, life doesn’t change all that much. Especially for a student. Go to school, study, go home. It’s a cycle.
“The results for the March Mock Exam came out today. When I call your name, come up one by one and get your report card.”
Today just happened to have a little something extra mixed in.
“Let’s see…”
I carefully unfolded the report card.
“Oh…”
I only missed one or two questions per subject. Some I got perfect scores on. This was one of my best mock exam results ever. Still, I didn’t feel particularly proud. This result was largely thanks to my ability, after all.
…In fact, it would be weirder if I did poorly. I can cross-reference answers with other people during the test… and I can focus my studying on the parts the teachers think are important. It’s impossible not to do well.
I looked around to see how the others did.
“A-young, how about you? Did you get a good score?”
In the next row, I saw Shin A-young surrounded by other students.
“I think I got exactly what I expected.”
— “Whoa, I totally crushed this mock exam!”
Hmm, looks like she did well. She’s a good student, so she probably did even better than me.
“…”
Then, our eyes met. Shin A-young’s eyebrows twitched upward. She covered her mouth with her hand and moved her lips slightly.
‘Today’
‘PC café’
‘Wanna go?’
She was asking if I wanted to go to the PC café. Should I answer her? I conveyed my intent back to her using only my lip movements.
‘Today. Club.’
At that, Shin A-young’s neck went stiff. Though she was still smiling, her lips snapped shut into a straight line.
— “Are you really not playing just because you lost last time?!”
Shin A-young’s mini-me was jumping up and down in her head. Ignoring that sound, I turned my gaze the other way. I saw Ji Nuri in the seat next to mine.
“Looks like you did well on the March Mock Exam?” Ji Nuri said, noting my expression.
Without a word, I slid my results over to her.
“What the. Why did you do so well?” Her eyes widened slightly.
“It’s all talent.”
Literal talent.
“How about you?”
“So-so? Honestly, it’s not that important to me.”
“That’s true.”
The other kids were the same. Regardless of their grades, the atmosphere in the class was cheerful. The results that just came out were only for a mock exam. Since Myunghwa High is an arts high school, everyone tended to prioritize their major exams over academic grades. Of course, there were kids who studied, but at least in our class, they seemed to be the minority.
“…”
Except for one person.
‘…What’s up with her?’
I glanced at the seat behind me and saw Lee Sol’s face. She was resting her chin on her hand, staring down at her report card. However, she was exceptionally quiet compared to usual. Her face, visible through her cascading hair, was definitely looking a bit downcast.
.
.
.
After school.
I narrowed my eyes as I entered the club room.
“…”
Something was weird. Even right now.
“…”
The moment I was about to sit on the sofa—
— Squish.
A soft sensation traveled up from my seat. Looking down, I saw a cushion had been placed there.
“…”
I looked to the side and saw Lee Sol. It was obvious she was the one who put it there. It had been like this for a while now. I didn’t know why. If I knew, would I be acting like this? And it wasn’t just a one-time thing.
“Seung-ho, there should be a counseling report we used last time over there. Can you bring it to me?” Senior Min-ji called out to me from inside the counseling office.
“On the shelf?”
“Over there. Right there.”
Ah, found it. Just as I started to get up—
Patter.
Lee Sol moved a step faster than me. She grabbed the report and promptly handed it to Senior Min-ji.
“Here it is.”
“…Oh. Thanks?” The senior took it with a slightly flustered look.
— “What? What is it? Did she eat something wrong?”
So she’s thinking the same thing. Senior Min-ji also looked confused.
“…”
Should I test her one more time? I intentionally rubbed my arms and spoke aloud.
“The weather is a bit chilly…”
Instantly, a soft piece of fabric was thrust right in front of my face. Lee Sol was holding it out.
“Do you want to use a blanket if you’re cold?”
“…Uh, thanks.”
The cozy blanket wrapped around me. This made it certain. She really seemed to be trying to get on my good side. It was starting to get burdensome. I needed to end this situation.
“…Is there something you want to say to me?”
“…”
At that, Lee Sol pulled out her wallet. She fumbled around and placed several ten-thousand won bills on the desk. She pushed them toward me.
…Seriously, what is this?
“Please teach me how to study.”
I froze. Not just me, but everyone in the club room stopped what they were doing. For a moment, I wondered if I had heard correctly.
Teach her what? Were those the words that just came out of Lee Sol’s mouth? The Lee Sol?
I asked back, my voice full of doubt.
“What did you say?”
Lee Sol tilted her head slightly at the question.
“……Could you please teach me how to study?”
She repeated the request, this time using formal language.
No. I didn’t mean for you to ask politely.